Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

• The Saeima recalls Martjan Bekasov from the post of an observer to the European Parliament
• The Society Integration Foundation distributes state funding for 2004
• Karlis Sadurskis and Igor Pimenov are ready to continue a dialog
• Discussion on possible reinforcement of the Framework Convention
• An interview with Sandra Kalniete, the minister of Foreign Affairs
• Journalist Anna Stroja about the Russian community in Latvia after EU referendum
• Demographer Ilmars Mezs on the change of proportions between ethnic Latvians and other nationalities
• An article of sociolinguist Gatis Dilans

64 MPs have voted for the recall of the MP for the Latvian Socialist Party Martjan Bekasov from the post of an observer to the European Parliament. The MP has been accused by right-wing parties of the dissemination of distorted information in the European Parliament about discrimination of Russian-speakers in Latvia. Bekasov is planning to submit a complaint to the Constitutional Court about violation of his freedom of expression.

64 MPs have voted for the recall of the MP for the Latvian Socialist Party Martjan Bekasov from the post of an observer to the European Parliament. The MP has been accused by right-wing parties of the dissemination of distorted information in the European Parliament about discrimination of Russian-speakers in Latvia. Bekasov is planning to submit a complaint to the Constitutional Court about violation of his freedom of expression. Diena, Telegraf, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya

The Society Integration Foundation (SIF) has distributed the state budget funding for the next year. 185,211 lats have been allocated to 34 projects on Latvian language training for adults, estimating that around 2830 persons will participate in the courses. The goal of the project is to provide an opportunity for everybody with poor Latvian language proficiency to learn Latvian. The fee will depend on the income level of the applicants. 33,756 lats have been allocated to 18 school projects aimed to provide information on education reform. Part of the funding is granted to mass media to inform about education reform.

The Society Integration Foundation (SIF) has distributed the state budget funding for the next year. 185,211 lats have been allocated to 34 projects on Latvian language training for adults, estimating that around 2830 persons will participate in the courses. The goal of the project is to provide an opportunity for everybody with poor Latvian language proficiency to learn Latvian. The fee will depend on the income level of the applicants. 33,756 lats have been allocated to 18 school projects aimed to provide information on education reform. Part of the funding is granted to mass media to inform about education reform. Diena, the Official Gazette, Telegraf

At the conference of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Strasburg, possible judicial reinforcement of the Convention has been discussed. The Latvia’s representative to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Boris Tsilevitch has advocated for granting rights to individuals to apply to the Court on the basis of the Convention. The director of the Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities John Packer has pointed out that the goal of the Convention is not to impose legal consequences on the specific state, and that it allows for certain flexibility in the implementation.

At the conference of the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in Strasburg, possible judicial reinforcement of the Convention has been discussed. The Latvias representative to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Boris Tsilevitch has advocated for granting rights to individuals to apply to the Court on the basis of the Convention. The director of the Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities John Packer has pointed out that the goal of the Convention is not to impose legal consequences on the specific state, and that it allows for certain flexibility in the implementation. Diena

The minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis has responded to the Latvian Association’s for the Support for Russian Schools (LASRS) letter signed by 107,000 persons asking for the free choice of the language of instruction. The minister wants to continue the dialog between the ministry and the LASRS. Igor Pimenov, the Chairman of the Board of LASRS, is also planning to continue cooperation with the ministry. On 4 November the Council on Minority Education Affairs of the Ministry on Education and Science will examine the proposals of the LASRS for the Education Law’s amendments.

The minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis has responded to the Latvian Associations for the Support for Russian Schools (LASRS) letter signed by 107,000 persons asking for the free choice of the language of instruction. The minister wants to continue the dialog between the ministry and the LASRS. Igor Pimenov, the Chairman of the Board of LASRS, is also planning to continue cooperation with the ministry. On 4 November the Council on Minority Education Affairs of the Ministry on Education and Science will examine the proposals of the LASRS for the Education Laws amendments. Telegraf, Vechernaya Riga, Chas

Jauna Avize features an interview with the minister of Foreign Affairs Sandra Kalniete discussing Latvias foreign policy issues. The minister considers the recent manifestations on protecting minority interests as a normal democracy practice, not a sign of an ethnic conflict.

Diena publishes an article by journalist Anna Stroja about Russian communities in Latvia and in other countries, possible changes after EU accession, and recent developments in Latvias relationship with Russia. Anna Stroja doubts that it is in anybodys best interests if Latvian non-citizens decide to choose Russias citizenship in favor of naturalization.

Jauna Avize features an article of demographer Ilmars Mezs analyzing the change of proportions between ethnic Latvians and other nationalities over the last years. According to him, the Latvian population, including ethnic Latvians, will continue to decrease in the forthcoming years. At the same time, the share of ethnic Latvians among other nationalities could increase to 61% in 10 years.

Sociolinguist Gatis Dilans discusses interethnic relations in Latvia and Latvian nationalism. He stresses the need to improve a dialog between the state and ethnic minorities.

Sociolinguist Gatis Dilans discusses interethnic relations in Latvia and Latvian nationalism. He stresses the need to improve a dialog between the state and ethnic minorities. Vechernaya Riga